Tuesday, June 07, 2011

It's BOOK day

It's BOOK day. After more than four years of dreaming and pitching and working and getting rejected and researching and giving up evenings and Fridays and sanity ... I have a book in bookstores. You can search on Amazon and my name pops up. I'll be able to walk into a bookstore and find a book that I wrote. I'll be in card catalogs, assuming they still have card catalogs.

In seventh grade, they asked us to draw what we wanted to be when we grew up. I wrote "AUTHOR" in big letters and drew...a giant pencil. (What? This is why I didn't write "ARTIST.") In college, we had to write a paper about a personal dilemma and I wrote about how I couldn't decide between journalism and teaching, but that I thought journalism might be more likely to help me be an author. I remember wishing that there were a class in Authorology that I could take, thinking that I just had no idea how to begin, and that I knew no one who had done it. Wishing that there were an easy path, knowing there wasn't. Wondering how a nobody kid from Minnesota could actually publish a book, which to me seemed as wonderful and as unreachable as winning an Oscar.

It's not going to be a Pulitzer winner or a bestseller.  But it's out there (thanks much to my co-author Brian Bellmont!) It may be a light silly little fluffball of a book, but dammit, it's our light silly little fluffball of a book. If I never do anything else, I did this.

17 comments:

francie said...

Congratulations! That's awesome.

Anonymous said...

I am so excited for you, Gael!

briank said...

Congratulations, Gael and Brian!

May your remainder table be small and your residuals large!

Laura said...

Congratulations and all the best with it! I've enjoyed your blog for many years, I'm sure the book is a gem. I look forward to reading it!

Unknown said...

I'm so happy for you! I had a similar career aspiration when I was younger, and I'm still hoping I'll eventually join you on the bookshelf someday.

Okay, technically, it would be on a separate shelf, but still in the same store. :)

Congratulations!

Ginger said...

Congrats!! I shall buy your book.

Laurie said...

Big congrats, Gael. I've been reading your blogs for years, and you deserve this success and this happiness. My husband is an author too, and I know how long it takes and how difficult it is to get to this point. I can't wait to read the book - it's right up my alley and I KNOW I'll love it! - and wish you and Brian the best of luck. Have lots of fun as you enjoy this special time. Go YOU! :)

Beth said...

Congratulations Gael and Brian! This book (Pop) Rocks and you guys are the (View) Masters of retro books.

When is the next one coming out? Don't keep us in the dark! Is it a (Mystery) Date?

Anonymous said...

Hi Ms. Gael- I've been following your blog forever, and I just wanted to say congrats on the book! I pre-ordered mine as soon as I could- the least I could do for the woman who introduced me to my beloved metafilter (and my cheap, tawdry lover, XE). Good luck- I hope you sell a million copies- you deserve it!

Anonymous said...

Yay Gael! Congratulations!! Sue

Carly said...

Whole-hearted congratulations from Minnesota! Like the above, I love reading your blogs and have found so much great stuff on the web thanks to your site. Best of success with the book!

NYCGirl said...

Congratulations, Gael. :)

Adrienne said...

Very happy for you and Brian! I've been following PCJM forever and have been eagerly anticipating the book! I went to my local Borders but they did not have it available (or at least I couldn't find it.) I'll try again next week, looking forward to some great light summer reading and reminiscing! Congratulations again!

Lynn said...

Can't wait to read it. Even though I'm 60 I love books like this.

Torie D. said...

Just got my copy of your book and dissolved it in one night! I ordered a copy for me and one for my friend - haven't had a chance to give her hers yet. I may not remember 'Hugo, Man of a Thousand Faces', but your high-larious description (and photo!) scarred me enough to be thankful I never met him myself. This book is just a 'massive babe' of awesome, to resurrect an old phrase. Thank you thank you for this read. My only regret is that it wasn't longer! Sequel. Soon. Please!
P.S. I work @ Barnes & Noble - just call your local store to order. Takes a couple of days to come in but you can take a look at it - I guarantee you will want to order copies for your friends too!

Blast from the Past said...

Congratulations, Gael!

Welcome to the club! My book didn't get into bookstores, but the realization of having written a book and it having been published is incredibly awesome.
That first time you hold it is quite a cool feeling.

I can't wait to pick up a copy and read it! I'm really looking forward to a good dose of nostalgia!

Again, Way to go!

Anonymous said...

I am reading right now, and it is absolutely fantastic! Hilarious, too.